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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidiyum Neram

From Sethupathi IPS · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sunandha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sethupathi IPS1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm mm mm mm mmmHumming melody
Hmm mm mm mm mmmHumming melody
Female
Vidiyum neram arugil vandhathuThe dawn is drawing near
Childrens :Vidiyum neram arugil vandhathuChildren: The dawn is drawing near
Female :Irulum vilagi odappoguthuFemale: The darkness will recede and run away
Childrens :Irulum vilagi odappoguthuChildren: The darkness will recede and run away
Female :Piraiyae valarum piraiyaeFemale: Oh crescent moon, growing crescent moon
Thunivae namadhu thunaiyaeCourage alone is our companion
Female
Vidiyum neram arugil vandhathuThe dawn is drawing near
Irulum vilagi odappoguthuThe darkness will recede and run away
Piraiyae valarum piraiyaeOh crescent moon, growing crescent moon
Thunivae namadhu thunaiyaeCourage alone is our companion
Female
Naalu pakkam theengu vanthuEven when harm arrived from all four directions
SoozhndhapodhilumAnd surrounded from all around
Naduvil nindru por thoduththaStanding in the middle and waging war
KattabommanumLike Kattabomman
Velu naachchi vellaidhevanVelu Nachiyar, Vellaiya Devan
MarudhupaandiyumAnd the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers
Vazhndhirundha naattil thaanaeIs it not in the very land where they lived
Naamum vaazhgiromThat we too live today?
Female
Paadamaagavae padithadhillaiyaHave you not studied this as a lesson?
Padiththa nyaabagam ninaivil illaiyaDo you not remember what you learned?
Naanum neeyum aamai pola anji nirpathaShould you and I stand cowering in fear like a turtle?
Female
Maanilaththil dharmam thannaiIn this world, righteousness
Soodhu kavvalaamMight be temporarily engulfed by deceit
Aanapothum meendum inguEven so, once again here
Dharmam vellallaamRighteousness will surely prevail!
Meesai vaiththa kavingan sonnaAre these not the words spoken by
Vaarththai allavaThe poet with the iconic mustache?
Neengal antha bharathikku peran allavaAre you not the grandchildren of that great Bharathi?
Female
Vaanilaavaiyae megam moodalaamClouds may cover the moon in the sky
Kaattru veesinaal kalaindhu odalaamBut when the wind blows, they will disperse and flee
Nambugindra pergalukku vaazhkkai nichchayamFor those who possess faith, life and victory are absolute certainty
Female
Vidiyum neram arugil vandhathuThe dawn is drawing near
Childrens :Mmmm…mm…mmm…mm…Children: Humming melody
Female :Irulum vilagi odappoguthuFemale: The darkness will recede and run away
Childrens :Mmmm…mm…mmm…mm…Children: Humming melody
Female :Piraiyae valarum piraiyaeFemale: Oh crescent moon, growing crescent moon
Thunivae namadhu thunaiyaeCourage alone is our companion

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting and motivational song from the movie Sethupathi IPS serves as an inspiring anthem for children, instilling courage, hope, and historical pride. The song uses dawn breaking as a metaphor for overcoming adversity and darkness in life. It reminds the younger generation of the glorious bravery of legendary Tamil freedom fighters like Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Vellaiya Devan, and the Maruthu Brothers, encouraging them to stand tall rather than retreat out of fear.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama / Uvamai)

Naanum neeyum aamai pola anji nirpatha

Comparing shrinking back in fear to a turtle pulling into its shell ('aamai pola anji nirpatha').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Vidiyum neram arugil vandhathu / Irulum vilagi odappoguthu

Using 'dawn' (Vidiyum neram) and 'darkness' (Irulum) as metaphors for hope/triumph and evil/troubles respectively.

Allusion (Ettuthokai / Historical Allusion)

Velu naachchi vellaidhevan / Marudhupaandiyum

Alluding to revolutionary historical figures (Kattabomman, Velu Nachiyar, Maruthu Pandiyar, Subramania Bharathi) to evoke patriotism and fortitude.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Piraiyae valarum piraiyae / Thunivae namadhu thunaiyae

Use of matching initial consonants across words or lines ('Piraiyae' / 'Thunivae').

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Sethupathi IPS' (1994) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The film starred Vijayakanth and Soundarya in lead roles. This particular song is sung by K. S. Chithra alongside a children's chorus, functioning as an educational and morale-boosting track within the film's narrative.

Keep listening

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